John Keilman of the Chicago Tribune has a terrific story about civil rights groups preparing to dedicate a historic marker at Rainbow Beach, where activists conducted “wade-ins” to integrate the lakeshore 50 years ago.

Marchese says: There is a range of curatorial sophistication and collection quality, but what all these places have in common is local pride in the glitzy fame achieved by a native son or daughter, the hope for some tourist dollars in otherwise out-of-the-way places, and often a beginning based on the obsessive collecting of memorabilia by a devoted fan. And they all count on something uncertain: a tireless fascination with big movie stars that continues decades after their last films.

The city of New York is getting out of the architectural salvage business. NYT

PHILADELPHIAThe U.S. government and the family of a coin dealer who died 21 years ago are fighting over a cache of 10 double eagle gold coins found in the man’s safe deposit box. The 1933 coins, which were never officially issued, were supposed to have been melted down. John Schwartz has the story in the New York Times. PLYMOUTH, MICH.Margaret Dunning of Plymouth, Mich., is showing her 1930 Packard roadster at the Concours d’Élégance of America on July 31. The car is a youngster compared to its owner, who is 101. Mary M. Chapman has the story in the New York Times.

One Response to 7|9|2011, #history, #museum

I don’t know what’s so quiet about the Chicago Art Inst. search for a new director. Rumor has it that Gary Tinterow, of the NYC Met Museum, has only to refuse the offer. Personally I would hate to see him go west. He’s doing a good job where he is.